284 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



SERIES II. 



FLOWERLESS OR CYPTOGAMOUS PLANTS. 



Class III. GROWING FROM THE APEX— Acrogens. 



Order 41. HORSETAILS— Equisetaceji:. A small order of 

 one genus and about ten species. 



118. Common Horsetail — Equisetum arvense. Roots perennial, deep Fertile stems 

 erect, simple, hollow, of a light brown color, furnished at the joints with a sort of sheath 

 of a darker color. Spores (seeds) in a cone-like head at the top of the stem. Sterile 

 stems green, eight to sixteen inches high, hollow, grooved, bearing at the joints long 

 and slender drooping branches. 



The fertile stems of this plant appear in April and May, grow- 

 ing in low damp grounds often in great abundance ; after they 

 have shed their spores they die away. About this time the sterile 

 or barren stems appear and continue through the season. From 

 their resemblance to miniature pine trees, they are sometimes 

 called low pine and ground pine. We have noticed this plant 

 in greater profusion on the sandy banks of railroads than any 

 where else. The common horsetail, or as it is sometimes called, 

 the field horsetail, is thought by many to be very injurious to 

 horses, causing the disease called " staggers," and that cattle and 

 sheep eat it with a decided relish and without injury. Others 

 consider it injurious only to cattle and sheep. Some writers say 

 it is perfectly harmless to any kind of stock. We will not, liow- 

 ever, discuss this question here, but refer to the "Agriculture of 

 Maine" for 1867, page 223, and to "Todd's Young Farmer's 

 Manual," Vol. 2, page 399, where it is discussed at length. The 

 horsetail may be considered a bad weed, which ought to be 

 eradicated. Thorough draining and good culture will eflect its 

 destruction. 



Order 42. FERNS— Felices. The ferns constitute a laro-e 

 family, distinguished by their elegant plume-like foliage. In the 

 temperate regions they are of low habits, but within the tropics 

 there are some species which attain the height of fifteen to twenty- 

 five feet, presenting a very beautiful appearance. 



119. Common Brake — Fteris aquilina. A well known and abun- 

 dxint plant in woods, pastures, and waste grounds, often quite 

 troublesome. There are numerous species, the prevalence of which 

 imparts a slack or neglected appearance to one's lands. 



